How to Be Prepared on Cruise Ships

There was widespread panic as passengers tried to get off the doomed ship Costa Concordia.

So how could you avoid nightmare scenes like this if disaster strikes on a cruise?

Many cruise ships show airline-style videos demonstrating what passengers should do in an emergency.

In a safety video from Disney cruise lines, an announcement is made that says, "You'll be met by crew members who will check your name off the guest list."

One major point: Don't ignore lifeboat drills—they're compulsory, as a YouTube video posted by one passenger shows.

The video explains, "This drill is required by international law and all guests must attend wearing their life jackets."

And if you hear a signal of seven short blasts followed by one long blast, put on your life jackets—it means there's an emergency.

International guidelines, adopted after the Titantic disaster of 1912, dictate that there must be a lifeboat spot for every passenger and crew member.

Cheif Warrant officer Aaron Vanhuysen of the U.S. Coast Guard gave INSIDE EDITION important safety advice.

"When you get on these vessels, you need to know your surroundings. You need to be familiar with where your life jacket is, where the lifeboat is. If you have all those things, it's less stress on yourself and everybody else, which would keep you calmer in a situation like that," said Vanhuysen.